How do you transition from the intense world of high-performance sport to leading a business, raising a family, and building a new identity?

In this episode of Beyond The Game, Derval O'Rourke - World Champion hurdler, three-time Olympian, successful entrepreneur, and proud mum of two - shares her honest journey of moving beyond elite athletics.

Derval opens up about the challenging transition away from the structured world of sport, how long it truly took to settle into "normal life," and the mindset shifts she had to make to thrive in business leadership.

She also reflects on parenting lessons, including how she’s learned to park her competitive instincts when it comes to raising her children—and why redefining success matters more now than ever.

• The emotional transition away from elite sport
• Mindset shifts from individual sport to business leadership
• Balancing ambition with parenting and real life
• Building resilience and patience beyond competition
• Redefining success beyond medals and titles

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

What does it take to carry the weight of a family legacy, help your county to All-Ireland glory, and stay driven through over a decade of elite-level sport?

In this episode of Beyond The Game, All-Ireland winner and Cork football legend Paul Kerrigan opens up about the mindset that drove his success, the pressure and pride of living up to his name, and the role of reflective practice and psychology in building resilience both on and off the pitch.

Now a qualified sports psychologist, Paul shares the powerful tools and strategies that apply far beyond sport—into business, leadership, and everyday life.

• Developing a relentless, championship-winning mindset

• Embracing pressure and honouring a proud family legacy

• Leadership from the pitch to life’s bigger arenas

• Reflective practice as a driver for growth

• Mental tools that fuel performance in sport, business, and life

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

What does it take to transition from a successful business career to owning one of Ireland’s most passionate football clubs?

In this episode of Beyond The Game, Dermot Usher shares the lessons he’s learned applying business principles to sport, the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks, and the deep belief that football clubs can be a powerful force for connection and community.

From navigating the challenge of relegation to building a trusted support network and laying the foundation for Cork City FC’s return to the top, Dermot reflects on leadership, adversity, and the strength it takes to stay the course.

• Transferrable lessons from the business world to football leadership

• Overcoming adversity and bouncing back from relegation

• Building a support system of people you can trust

• The power of sport in creating connection and combating loneliness

• Leadership through uncertainty and long-term vision

• Bringing Cork City FC back to where it belongs

Listen, like and subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

What does it take to balance elite sport, a full-time career, and breaking barriers in STEM—all while competing at the highest level?

In this episode of Beyond The Game, Phil Healy gives a rare insight into the discipline, mindset, and time management strategies that have helped her become a European champion, two-time Olympian, and leading advocate for women in STEM.

From navigating motivation over the long haul to overcoming injuries and autoimmune challenges, Phil shares the tools that have kept her performing at an elite level—while still finding ways to enjoy the journey, even under pressure.

Topics Covered:

- How to stay motivated & disciplined over long periods of time

- Tools & strategies to push through tough days

- Balancing elite sport with a full-time career in STEM

- Overcoming injuries & autoimmune challenges

- Championing young women to enter male-dominated industries

- The importance of having fun—even in high-pressure environments

Listen, like and subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

What does it take to sustain elite performance for almost two decades?

In this episode of Beyond The Game, Patrick Horgan gives a rare insight into the mental toughness, discipline, and obsession with improvement that have made him one of hurling’s all-time greats.

From the heartbreak of All-Ireland final defeats to the relentless drive to keep coming back stronger, Hoggie shares how he stays motivated, managing his mindset over time and what wearing the Cork jersey truly means to him.

- The elite mindset—how to stay at the top for over a decade. - Leadership in the face of setbacks & finding motivation again. - The power of knowing your ‘why’ in sport & life. - How resilience & reflection fuel long-term success. - Cork pride, passion & what it really means to wear the jersey.

Listen and subscribe to the Beyond The Game Podcast for unique insights into the mindsets, resilience and habits of athletes, coaches and business leaders from the world of high performance sports.

In this exclusive and unfiltered episode of Beyond The Game, Simon Zebo opens up like never before. From the pressures of elite sport to the hidden struggles behind his signature smile, he shares how family support, resilience, and mindset shifts helped him navigate career transitions, missed selections, and injuries. Now, stepping into entrepreneurship with Black Emerald Irish Whiskey, Zebo reveals the high-performance habits and transferable skills that drive his success beyond rugby.

1. How sport shapes character and fuels long-term success
2. The high-performance habits that fuelled Simon Zebos’ success.
3. The realities of professional sport—beyond the fanfare and smiles.
4. How transferable skills from rugby apply to business and leadership
5. The mental resilience needed to handle setbacks like missed selections & injuries

Listen and subscribe to the Beyond The Game Podcast for unique insights into the mindsets, resilience and habits of high performance athletes, coaches and business leaders from the world of high performance sports.